Articles from October, 2017

Weekly Market Commentary, October 31, 2017

October 31, 2017 | By Robare & Jones

The Markets Another week, another record. The S&P 500 edged up 0.2 percent to post another new record. The MSCI ACWI dropped 0.1 percent as a strengthening dollar pushed the value of international stocks lower for U.S. investors. The Bloomberg BarCap U.S. Aggregate Bond Index slipped -0.1 percent. Investors continue to focus on the good news. A strong U.S. GDP report, a moderate ECB policy change, improving prospects for tax reform, and a vote of confidence in Japan all pushed … Read More

Weekly Market Commentary, October 24, 2017

October 24, 2017 | By Robare & Jones

The Markets Stocks continued their strong run last week. The S&P 500 gained an impressive 0.9 percent, and global stocks, represented by the MSCI ACWI, rose 0.3 percent. The Bloomberg BarCap U.S. Aggregate Bond Index slipped -0.5 percent. The S&P 500 and the MSCI ACWI both hit new highs during the week. Investors reacted positively to the Fed’s analysis of the economy and to speculation that Jerome Powell may become the next Fed chair. In other news, the Senate voted … Read More

Weekly Market Commentary, October 17, 2017

October 17, 2017 | By Robare & Jones

The Markets Stocks moved higher last week, and many stock indices continued to hit new highs. The S&P 500 rose 0.2 percent. Global stocks did even better as the MSCI ACWI rose 0.9 percent. The Bloomberg BarCap U.S. Aggregate Bond Index climbed 0.5 percent. Most news during the week was positive. The economic aftereffects of hurricane season pushed inflation higher in September, but inflation pressures dissipate when food and energy prices are removed from the equation. The IMF’s increased estimates … Read More

Weekly Market Commentary, October 10, 2017

October 10, 2017 | By Robare & Jones

The Markets Stock markets rallied on solid economic data last week. The S&P 500 soared 1.2 percent, and the MSCI ACWI rose 0.3 percent. The Bloomberg BarCap U.S. Aggregate Bond Index slipped -0.2 percent as rate pressures continued to increase. Economic releases are difficult to analyze because Hurricanes Harvey and Irma have impacted prices and activity. Rebuilding and replacing property has pushed some economic measures higher, while the storms increased the number of unemployed in other measures. One measure of … Read More

Weekly Market Commentary, October 3, 2017

October 3, 2017 | By Robare & Jones

The Markets U.S. markets reacted positively to the Trump administration tax proposal. For the week, the S&P 500 climbed 0.7 percent higher. The MSCI ACWI was basically unchanged. The Bloomberg BarCap U.S. Aggregate Bond Index slipped -0.1 percent. The global economy continues to expand while politicians in countries such as the United States and Japan focus on revving up economic growth through tax reform or additional spending. In the United States, the Federal Reserve continues to wrestle over whether or … Read More